- Develop a student’s understanding of business concepts presented in the classroom and learning materials with adding real world experience within the bookstore and merchandising department.
Areas of focus
-logistics/shipping and receiving
-inventory management/purchase orders, physical inventories
-customer service
-marketing/store promotions
-merchandising/store displays
-sales/assisting customers
-internet sales & marketing
Job Description
The bookstore/merchandising intern is a for-credit experience, immersing the student in a practical working environment dealing with day to day bookstore operations, online sales, event sales, and merchandising and marketing efforts. Along with the work experience, the intern will need to complete 3 projects relating to the bookstore and merchandising efforts at Davenport University.
The position requires a detail-orientated person with a customer service attitude. An outgoing personality and ability to work individually as well as a team are necessary to success.
Responsibilities include:
-assisting customers and completing sales transactions at the bookstore, at off-site sales and sales at sporting events
-cash handling and daily account balancing
-receiving, tagging and displaying merchandise
-stocking merchandise as needed in the store and other locations
-assisting and developing product displays in a visually appealing manner
-assisting with online orders and shipment of individual orders
-organize, inventory and ship merchandise to University locations for display cases.
-assist store manager and bookstore clerks in the opening and closing of store.
In order to complete the responsibilities above, the intern will be exposed to and learn:
Cash register operations
General applications of a point of sale system; maintaining merchandise, purchase orders, receiving, accounts receivable
Reporting/Accounting; using system reports to balance daily accounts
Inventory Management; ordering and receiving products, tracking inventory in a point of sale system, conducting a physical inventory
Internet sales; selection of merchandise, photography, editing, product description, maintaining inventory, shipping, marketing and customer history
Special/Sporting Event sales; set-up, customer relations, cash drawer balancing.
Qualifications
Previous retail or management experience.
Completed or currently enrolled in business related courses.
Demonstrated ability to work accurately and effectively with computerized data systems.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment, spirit of cooperation and positive reactions to change.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and relate well to students, parents, faculty and staff with a high degree of appropriate confidentiality.
Must be able to work an irregular schedule, evenings or Saturdays as needed. Additional hours during peak times such as fall rush.
Environmental Factors
Bookstore environment. Prolonged sitting and standing. Some travel between locations may be required. Ability to lift 50 pounds.
Sample of Weekly Activities – Schedule will adapt to events/activities on campus
Week One: Introduction to bookstore, overview of all merchandising areas – online, special/athletic events, department charges, road shows, store operations.
Meet with key staff members for an orientation to their area.
Week Two: Introduction to processing system for point of sale system. Entering merchandise into GM, purchase orders, receiving, flow of inventory. Tagging merchandise, class of merchandise, checking inventory on hand, and student financial aid processing.
Week Three: Cash register and cash handling. Conducting sales transactions and balancing cash drawers. Stocking merchandise in store.
Week Four: Set up and conduct sales at sporting event.
Week Five: Set up and conduct sales at a road show.
Week Six: Online sales. Assist with photos of products, description, and process for making products live on site. Shipment of online orders. Investigate opportunities for marketing the online site and connections to social media.
Week Seven: Learn about textbook process. Overview of system for ordering. Buy back process.
Week Eight: Track a text. Track the cost and retail price of the text books for a particular course of study. Report the costs for each course textbook for the past 4 years. Compare prices of books at MBS Direct, in store, other Universities and other online sources, i.e. amazon, half.com, etc… Compile findings into report.
Week Nine: Complete a competitive analysis of other University bookstores. Visit 3 other local university stores. Rate each store on lighting, service of staff, signage, promotions, cleanliness, etc… Complete form for each store. Compile information for a competitive analysis and how they compare with Davenport University.
Week Ten: Conduct sales and create display in bookstore.
Week Eleven: Create a promotion for 2 areas of merchandising (in store, online, special event, faculty/staff). Select product or offer and how it will be marketed. Facilitate the execution of the promotion over the next 3 weeks.
Week Twelve: Compile merchandise and décor for display cases at other locations. Ship out items to contacts.
Week Thirteen: Along with Store Manager or Director, meet with vendor for apparel or merchandise.
Week Fourteen: Meet with a coach along with the Apparel Specialist to discuss and plan apparel needs for team.
Week Fifteen: Report results of promotion. Present outcome of internship to Career Services and Merchandising staff include suggested improvements for merchandising operations.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send resume and cover letter to the Director of Bookstore and Merchandising Operations, Jaye Lynn Bergers, at JayeLynn.Bergers@davenport.edu